As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2020, Lauren Campo from Basking Ridge, New Jersey has not had the typical final semester or commencement at UD due to the coronavirus outbreak. She, and her entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered.
Campo was nominated for this series by UD Associate Professor of finance Jack Bao, who said, “Lauren was the student who would start asking questions about the homework assignment the week before it was due. I knew she was going to be a great student in my course from the time she emailed me a question on Labor Day Weekend when, I’m sure, most of her classmates were not thinking about school at all. It turns out that she’s not just very motivated but also very bright.“
In this profile, Campo, a finance and marketing double major, shared her favorite UD memories, how she has changed during her time at UD and her plans following graduation.
Q: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Campo: During my first semester, I was shy and nervous about college as a whole and truly had so much to learn. I have bloomed into someone who has developed confidence, lifelong friendships and loves to challenge myself through learning. All of my classes at Delaware have pushed me to grow and become a well-rounded student. Every obstacle that I faced and every memory I have I will cherish, as I am beyond grateful for these experiences as they have made me into who I am today.
Q: What is your favorite place at UD?
Campo: My favorite place at UD is The Barnes and Noble Bookstore. It was my favorite place to study because, in my opinion, it had the optimal noise level; not too quiet and not too loud. If I needed a coffee the Starbucks was right there and if I needed a snack I had all of the Main Street options. I have spent countless hours studying for exams, writing papers, completing problem sets and reviewing for finals in Barnes and it has always paid off.
Q: What is the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Campo: Fixed Income Securities was the most memorable course I took at Lerner because it truly was unlike any other finance course I have taken. This course definitely gave me a challenge, but I put in all my effort to do my absolute best because the material greatly interested me and I wanted to perform very well. My professor, Jack Bao, provided so much guidance to all the students. He truly made the material more understandable and easier to break down. Performing well in that class gave me the greatest sense of accomplishment.
Q: What was your favorite signature UD experience?
Campo: Studying abroad was without a doubt my favorite signature experience at UD. I had been looking forward to studying abroad even before college started and UD delivered the most marvelous experience possible. Living in Trastevere, Rome was a dream come true. I met the most amazing people on my program that went to UD, and now we are incredibly close friends. I even met people from other schools that I still keep in touch with even now. This abroad experience enabled me to mature, increase my self-sufficiency and allowed me the opportunity to explore other countries. Every single day abroad was an adventure, even if it was just walking around the neighborhood. It exceeded any expectations I had and made my dream of living abroad feel attainable post-college.
Q: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Campo: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” will always keep me connected to the University of Delaware business program, the friends and the many experiences I had while in Newark. Those are the memories I cherish and will look back upon as I continue in my business career. Also, as one who loves to learn, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means there is always something to explore in the world. My appetite for travel abroad and the experiences I gained at UD, particularly in the abroad program, brought that desire to a new level. Overall, I think it means there is always something to learn and challenge yourself with which makes the world more exciting.
Q: What are your plans following graduation?
Campo: Currently I am still looking for the right opportunity and, as with many other 2020 graduates, that search has been impacted by the global pandemic. I am confident we will come through this challenging time and find opportunities as the world settles down. My hope is to find a position in an organization that affords me the ability to put my degree to use, to travel and hopefully make a positive impact on society.